If you're wondering when's a good time to get a table at London's hard-to-book restaurants, the midweek lunch spot is your best bet. Not only are you likely to be in with more of a chance of snapping up a table, but you'll also get the opportunity to eat in some of London's top restaurants often for less than the price you'd spend on a meal out in your local pub. Here are our picks for some of the best lunchtime deals in town.
A few things to note:
- Always make sure that the set lunch deal is running for the day of your booking
- If there's something you've always wanted to try from a restaurant and don't mind paying full price for that one dish - why not add it on to what you're ordering.
- And if you want to stick to the budget, tread lightly around the wine list.
Adam Handling ChelseaChelsea - 75 Sloane Street, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 9SG
Adam Handling (who also runs The Frog in Covent Garden) is in charge of all the food at the Belmond Cadogan Hotel in Chelsea - and this is the main restaurant there. Make sure to order the chicken butter and sourdough too - it's unmissable.
The offer: 2 courses for £37, 3 courses for £45
The choice: Three to four options per course.
Available: Monday - Friday
Find out more about Adam Handling Chelsea
Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester
Mayfair - 53 Park Ln, London W1K 1QA
This three Michelin-starred restaurant (a rarity in London) from this esteemed French chef is hidden inside the Dorchester and normally costs an arm and a leg. The set price lunch is an excellent way to test the place out without hurting your bank balance too much and changes every Wednesday.
The offer: Three courses (amuse-bouche and mignardises too), two glasses of wine, half a bottle of mineral water and coffee or tea for £70.
The choice: Three to four options per course.
Available: Tuesday to Friday
Find out more about Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester
Aqua ShardThe Shard, 31 St. Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY
Dinner in any of the Shard's restaurants can be hard on the wallet, but head up there for lunch and you can take advantage of Aqua Shard's set price lunch. And yes, there's one of the best views in town to enjoy while you're there. So that's a bonus.
The offer: Two courses £29 or three for £36
The choice: Three to four options per course.
Available: Monday to Friday
Find out more about Aqua Shard
AquavitSt James's Market, 1 Carlton Street, London SW1Y 4QQ
St James isn't the first, second or even third place you'd look to for a bargain meal out in London but two courses for under £25 is a bit of a steal in these here parts. Expect a bit of Nordic action here.
The offer: Two courses, £27, three courses £30
The choice: Two options per course
Available: Monday to Friday
Arros QD64 Eastcastle St, Fitzrovia, London W1W 8NQ
This restaurant is top Spanish chef Quique Dacosta's London outpost and the main attraction is their paella, created with state of the art equipment. And they do have a paella dish included in the set menu.
The offer: Two courses, £23
Available: Noon to 2pm, Monday to Friday.
Bao FitzroviaFitzrovia - 31 Windmill St, London W1T 2JN
Dod you know that not only can you book Bao Fitzrovia, but you can get a cracking set lunch deal there too. And yes, the classic bao is included, along with black cod, beef and more. You may want to consider adding their fried Horlicks ice cream for dessert...
The offer: £15
The choice: A bao (choice of 5), small plate and rice bowl
Available: Monday to Friday, 12-3pm
Find out more about Bao Fitzrovia
Bar Boulud London66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA
Daniel Boulud's Bar Boulud London is a perennial hit since the French chef (via America) came to the basement at the Mandarin Oriental. This is the second restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental to offer a good lunch deal (although sadly their great burgers aren't included).
The offer: 2 courses for £22 or 3 courses for £26
The choice: Two choices for main course, but daily changing menu.
Available: Monday to Sunday from 12 to 6.30pm
Find out more about Bar Boulud London
Bernardi'sMarylebone - 62 Seymour St, London W1H 5BN
This Italian restaurant in Marylebone is from Cubitt House alumni and serves up warming Italian fare and is a great option for dodging the shopping crowds. And there's a decent bar downstairs if you fancy a quick post-lunch drink.
The offer: Two courses for £22, three courses for £26.
The choice: Three choices per course.
Available: Monday to Friday from 12 to 3pm.
Find out more about Bernardi's
Berners TavernFitzrovia - 10 Berners Street, London W1T 3NP
This is one of Jason Atherton's restaurants and is part of the Edition hotel in Fitzrovia. It's also blessed with one of the most jaw-dropping dining rooms in town.
The offer: 2 courses £24.50, 3 courses £29.50
Available: Every day
Find out more about Berners Tavern
Claude Bosi at BibendumSouth Kensington - 62 Seymour St, Marylebone, London W1H 5BN
This is one of the rare two Michelin starred restaurants in London and Bosi's high-end French cooking is definitely something that should be experienced. Plus its setting within the original Michelin building makes it seem very at home. This lunch even involves a carvery.
The offer: Three courses for £65, including coffee and water.
The choice: Three choices per course (including a carvery option).
Available: Thursday - Saturday
Find out more about Claude Bosi at Bibendum
CaractereNotting Hill - 209 Westbourne Park Road, London W11 1EA
The latest generation of the Roux family has entered the restaurant business as Emily Roux teamed up with her husband (the head chef) Diego Ferrari opening this Notting Hill restaurant. The tasting menu is split into five sections and you can choose one of your courses from those.
The offer: Three courses for £39
The choice: Choice of five dishes
Available: Daily
Church RoadBarnes - 94 Church Road, London SW13 0DQ
This restaurant is from Rebecca Mascarenhas and Phil Howard who changed what used to be Sonny's into something new. It has a menu focused on British seasonal produce - "local where available – some foraged, some farm-grown, some wild"
The offer: 2 courses £24.50, 3 courses £27.50
Available: Monday - Saturday
Find out more about Church Road
The Coal ShedOne Tower Bridge, 4 Crown Square, London SE1 2RZ
This Brighton fave has landed in London at the One Tower Bridge location. Expect a mix of seafood, steaks and grills - with a big emphasis on seasonality. The desserts aren't to be missed.
The offer: Express lunch £10
The choice: A choice of burger, buns or bowls
Available: Monday to Saturday 12 – 6.30 pm
Find out more about The Coal Shed
Core by Clare SmythNotting Hill - 92 Kensington Park Rd, London W11 2PN
This is Clare Smyth's first solo restaurant and became an immediate hit, winning two Michelin stars in less than a year, as well as getting a Best Female Chef awards from the World's 50 Best team.
The offer: Three courses for £75
The choice: Four choices each course
Available: Thursday - Saturday
Corrigan's MayfairMayfair - 28 Upper Grosvenor St, London W1K 7EH
Legendary Irish chef Richard Corrigan's Mayfair restaurant (around the back of the Grosvenor) is the higher end of his three London restaurants (he also owns Bentley's and Daffodil Mulligans) and serves up a seasonal menu at lunch. Turn up early (or stay late) for excellent cocktails at Dickie's Bar.
The offer: Two courses for £32, three for £38.
The choice: Three options per course. Cheese as a supplement.
Available: Monday to Saturday 12-3pm
Find out more about Corrigan's Mayfair
Craft LondonThe O2 - Peninsula Square, London SE10 0SQ
Stevie Parle's east London restaurant is about as seasonal and locally sourced as you can get in the capital. It's easily the best thing by the O2 and a perfect pit-stop if you're waiting/meeting someone in the area (and as the offer is all day - handy in the evening too). But it's really worth travelling up there for excellent cooking (and make sure to pop into the deli downstairs too).
The offer: 2 courses £21, 3 courses £28
The choice: Tasting menu.
Available: All day, every day.
Find out more about Craft London
La Dame de PicTower Hill - Four Seasons Hotel at Ten Trinity Square, 10 Trinity Square, London EC3N 4AJ
Anne-Sophie Pic (with Michelin stars to her name in France) has brought her style of high-end French dining to the rather opulent Four Seasons right by Tower Bridge, and swiftly won two Michelin stars in London too.
The offer: £32 for 2 courses, £42 for 3, £60 for 4
The choice: 3 options per courses
Find out more about La Dame de Pic
Davies and BrookClaridge’s, Brook St, Mayfair, London W1K 4HR
This is the main restaurant at Claridge's with Daniel Humm in charge. Humm's NYC restaurant Eleven Madison Park reached No 1 in the World's 50 Best list and he's got rave reviews for his food here, which features some of his classic dishes and others exclusive to Claridge's. It's also worth checking out the bar which has its own snacks.
The offer: £38 for 2 courses, served in an hour
Available: Monday through Friday
Find out more about Davies and Brook
Dinner by Heston BlumenthalMandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA
Heston's Mandarin Oriental restaurant is always one of the most popular restaurants in London. You won't get the Tipsy Cake or Meat Fruit for the set lunch price but it's a good way to experience one of the hottest tickets in town - and you can always add one of those dishes on top too.
The offer: £48 for 3 courses
The choice: 2 options per courses
Available: Monday to Friday from 12-2pm
Find out more about Dinner by Heston
Elystan StreetChelsea - 43 Elystan St, London SW3 3NT
This is chef Phil Howard's main restaurant in Chelsea, so if you're a fan of his cooking, this is the place to come. It's earned him a Michelin star and while dinner at Elystan Street can end up being pretty punchy, this makes their set lunch deal an even bigger draw.
The offer: Three courses £30
Available: Monday to Friday from 12.30 - 14.45
Find out more about Elystan Street
FrenchieCovent Garden - 16 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8QH
This Parisian import quickly got a lot of positive buzz, showing that it is possible to make a very successful move from Paris to London. The set menu at lunch is an ideal chance to try it out, and you should add a bacon scone on top.
The offer: Two courses for £29 and three for £32
Available: Every day
The Game BirdMayfair - The Stafford London, 16-18 St James's Place, London SW1A 1NJ
This is the main restaurant at the Stafford Hotel, where the food is looked after by ex Salt Yard's Ben Tish. Expect an emphasis on British cooking and game in the main restaurant.
The offer: Two courses for £25, three courses for £30
The choice: Three options per course
Find out more about The Game Bird
Galvin at WindowsMayfair - Hilton, 22 Park Ln, London W1K 1BE
Sadly the wonderful Fred Sirieix is no longer in charge, but you can still experience fantastic food with that 'magic touch', enjoying one of the best views in London on top of the Park Lane Hilton Hotel overlooking Hyde Park.
The offer: 2 courses for £31, 3 courses for £37, (add half a bottle of wine, water and a coffee for £58)
The choice: Three options per course
Find out more about Galvin at Windows
GezelligHolborn Town Hall, 193-197 High Holborn, London WC1V 7BD
This Holborn restaurant and bar has a wealth of talent in the kitchen, serving up a modern European menu. Make sure to check the snacks menu in case there's anything that catches your eye there.
The offer: Two courses for £25
The choice: Two choices for each course
GymkhanaClosed temporarily due to fire
42 Albemarle St, Mayfair, London W1S 4JH
One of the best Indian restaurants to open in London for years, Gymkhana has a great entry-level set lunch menu making this Mayfair spot even more of an attractive proposition.
The choice: Five options for starters and main and four for dessert - with mains served with Dal Lasooni, Aloo Hara Pyaz. The meal also kicks off with cassava, lentil and rice papads with shrimp chutney and mango chutney.
The offer: Two courses for £27 or three for £33.50 (add a carafe of wine for £19 or house punch for £9)
HIDE85 Piccadilly, London W1J 7NB
After finishing up his eponymous restaurant in Fitzrovia, Ollie Dabbous went big with his next - the very impressive looking three-storey HIDE in Mayfair. The top floor - Above - is where you'll see the main Dabbous tasting menu.
The offer: Five courses for £48
Available: Monday - Sunday
HawksmoorSpitalfields, Borough, City, Mayfair, Covent Garden, Knightsbridge
Famed for serving some of the best steaks in town, Hawksmoor also offer a very good deal on their Express Menu at lunchtimes across almost all of their restaurants (and early evening as well).
The offer: Two courses for £25 or three for £28.
The choice: 3-4 choices per course, including rump steak
Available: Monday to Saturday (times change at each branch)
Helene Darroze at the Connaught
Carlos Pl, Mayfair, London W1K 2AL
Her two Michelin-star cooking is exquisite and who wouldn't want to try the food of chef Helene Darroze? This is the main restaurant at classic Mayfair hotel The Connaught, which has had a recent refurbishment.
The offer: 3 courses for £65 (includes matching wines)
The choice: Nine choices in total, with options like such as cod, lamb, chicken, rhubarb or chocolate.
Find out more about Helene Darroze at the Connaught
Hereford Road3 Hereford Rd, Bayswater, London W2 4AB
Hereford Road has a regularly changing menu of seasonal British classics, led by chef/co-founder Tom Pemberton. The set lunch changes daily and is a pretty damned good deal.
The offer: Two courses for £13.50 or three for £15.50.
The choice: Three starters, three mains and three dessert choices.
Available: Monday to Friday
Find out more about Hereford Road
Ikoyi1 St James's Market, St. James's, London SW1Y 4AH
This restaurant in St James's Market really adds something new to the London restaurant scene (and earned a Michelin star in double-quick time). The set lunch is an ideal opportunity to try out Jeremy Chan's inventive cooking.
The offer: Set menu of three courses (no dessert) for £45
Available: Monday - Friday
Imperial Treasure9-10 Waterloo Pl, St. James's, London SW1Y 4BE
The original Imperial Treasure in Shanghai has two Michelin stars and this is their London restaurant. Expect a high-end Chinese dining experience and the Peking duck is the main attraction
The offer: 3 courses for £38 (£48 if you want the Peking duck)
Available: Monday - Friday
Find out more about Imperial Treasure
Indian Accent16 Albemarle St, Mayfair, London W1S 4HW
This high-end Indian restaurant in Mayfair got a rare five-star review from Fay Maschler, had previous success in New Delhi and New York and met with similar acclaim in London.
The offer: Two courses for £24
Available: Daily
Find out more about Indian Accent
Kerridge's Bar and GrillCorinthia Hotel, Whitehall Pl, Westminster, London SW1A 2BD
Tom Kerridge earned two Michelin stars at the Hand and Flowers in Marlow and this sees him setting up shop at the Corinthia hotel for his London debut. The main dinner menu isn't on the cheap side (the fish and chips is pricey) so this is an ideal way to give the restaurant a whirl.
The offer: Two courses for £24 or three for £29.50.
The choice: Two options per course
Available: Daily 12-7pm
Find out more about Kerridge's Bar and Grill
Kutir10 Lincoln St, London SW3 2TS
This is the home for Rohit Ghai (previously at Gymkhana and Jamavar) and it's very much a home, taking over a Chelsea townhouse. You'll get some of the best elevated Indian cuisine in town here.
The offer: Two courses for £22 or three for £27.
The choice: Around five options per course
Available: Mon - Fri 12 - 2:30pm, 5:30 - 6:30pm
The Ledbury127 Ledbury Rd, London W11 2AQ
Brett Graham's restaurant was a longstanding fixture in the World's 50 Best restaurants list. So if you want to try out this Australian chef's cuisine and the main tasting menu is out of your budget, lunch is your best bet.
The offer: Four-course menu for £80.
The choice: Tasting menu.
Available: Wednesday to Friday
Find out more about The Ledbury
Le Gavroche43 Upper Brook St, Mayfair, London W1K 7QR
One of London's classiest restaurants this can also end up being one of London's most expensive. Go to Le Gavroche if you want to experience some of the most exquisite service and classic food in London and their legendary lunch deal will help you avoid a phone call with your bank manager.
The offer: Set lunch for £74 (inc service) includes three courses, half a bottle of wine, half-bottle of mineral water, petit fours and coffee
The choice: Three options per course
Available: Wednesday- Friday
Find out more about Le Gavroche
MarcusThe Berkeley, Wilton Pl, Belgravia, London SW1X 7RL
Marcus Wareing's flagship restaurant (and the only one where you'll find him in the kitchen) is Michelin-starred but the service is modern and unfussy. If it's on the menu, order the custard tart as an added extra.
The offer: Five courses for £60
The choice: Tasting menu
Available: Monday - Saturday
Mere74 Charlotte St, Fitzrovia, London W1T
This is the first solo restaurant from ex-Le Gavroche chef Monica Galetti, with her husband David Galetti in charge of the wine. So you'll want a quick pit-stop in their bar before dining here.
The offer: Two courses for £29 and three for £35 (cheese for a £6.50 supplement).
The choice: Two options per course
Available: Monday - Friday
MuranoQueen St, Mayfair, London W1J 5PP
Angela Hartnett's flagship, Michelin-starred restaurant serves up exquisite Italian food but at a price. Happily, the set menu brings it down to most people's budgets.
The offer: Two courses for £32 and three for £37 (cheese £8 supplement).
The choice: Three options per course
The Ninth22 Charlotte St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 2NB
Jun Tanaka's Michelin-starred Fitzrovian restaurant serves up a selection of delectable small plates and the set menu for lunch is a pretty good deal.
The offer: Two courses for £23 or three for £29 (with drink for £34).
When: Monday to Saturday 12pm to 3pm
Noble Rot51 Lamb's Conduit St, London WC1N 3NB
With a menu designed in collaboration with The Sportsman, and serving up bread to die for and one of the best wine lists in town, this is one of the top restaurants in the Holborn area.
The offer: Two courses for £18, three courses for £22
The choice: One option per course.
Available: Monday - Saturday
Oldroyd344 Upper St, London N1 0PD
Tom Oldroyd's first restaurant on his own has proven to be a huge hit (also winning our best newcomer award when it opened). If you need a set lunch in Islington, look no further. You should also order the seasonal croquettes as an added extra.
The offer: £10
The choice: Four small plates
Available: Monday - Friday 12 - 4pm
Pollen Street Social8-10 Pollen St, Mayfair, London W1S 1NQ
Jason Atherton has a mini restaurant empire across London, but this is his flagship and the one where you may see him in the kitchen too.
The offer: Three courses for 39.50
The choice: Three options per course, cheese requires £8 supplement.
Available: Monday - Saturday 12 - 2.30pm
Find out more about Pollen Street Social
Quality Chop House92–94 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3EA
There has been a Quality Chop House in London for 150 years. But for our mind, the current iteration with Shaun Searley in the kitchen may just be the best. The confit potatoes are extra - but do not think of leaving without ordering them,
The offer: Two courses for £24, three courses for £28
The choice: 4-5 options per course.
Find out more about Quality Chop House
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay68 Royal Hospital Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4HP
Gordon's flagship restaurant on Royal Hospital Road is still damned hard to get into. It continues to retain its rare three Michelin-starred status, so it's still a big draw.
The offer: Three courses for £70
The choice: Two options per course
Available: Monday to Friday.
Find out more about Restaurant Gordon Ramsay
Roganic5-7 Blandford St, Marylebone, London W1U 3DB
Roganic was originally a long-term pop-up and this saw it return to London in a permanent form (and Simon Rogan's only London base). Expect an ever-changing menu which the business lunch should give you a taster of.
The offer: Four courses for £35
The choice: Set menu
Available: Tuesday - Saturday
Sartoria20 Savile Row, Mayfair, London W1S 3PR
This Mayfair Italian restaurant has Francesco Mazzei in charge of the kitchen - his main high-end place - and it's become a hot restaurant in the process.
The offer: Two courses for £26.50, three courses for £32.50
The choice: Three choices per course
Savoy GrillSavoy Hotel, London WC2R 0EU
This iconic British venue is one of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants - and the Savoy Grill remains one of London's classic dining institutions.
The offer: Two courses for £31, three courses for £35
The choice: Four choices per course, sides extra
Find out more about Savoy Grill
SetteKnightsbridge Green, London SW1X 7QL
This restaurant is high-end Italian in Knightsbridge, by way of New York. It sees NYC's Scarpetta take on the restaurant at the very luxe Bulgari hotel in Knightsbridge. At the time of writing, the signature spaghetti with basil is on the menu.
The offer: Two courses for £24, three courses for £29
The choice: Three choices per course, includes biscotti and coffee
Available: Monday - Saturday
Siren15 Beeston Pl, Westminster, London SW1W 0JW
This was the first new restaurant to be added to the Goring in 100 years and it's run by top chef Nathan Outlaw. It has an enviable view, looking out on the Goring's garden, matched with a menu that focuses on seafood.
The offer: Two courses £32, Three courses £39
Available: Monday - Saturday
SpringSomerset House, Lancaster Pl, London WC2R 1LA
Skye Gyngell opened this restaurant in Somerset House to great acclaim, as much for the food as for the spectacular dining room. Expect a highly seasonal menu here.
The offer: Two courses for £28.50, three courses for £31.50
The choice: Two choices per course.
Available: Every day
StreetXO15 Old Burlington St, Mayfair, London W1S
The crazy cocktails you'll want to try here at dinner can make dinner expensive at David Munoz's London restaurant. Better to go here for lunch instead when you can still try the signature dishes for less.
The offer: £30 (and £5 extra for the dessert of the day).
The choice: The Express Lunch Menu has four of the restaurant's signature dishes.
Available: Monday - Friday
The Square6-10 Bruton St, Mayfair, London W1J 6PU
The Square has had a big refurb not all that long ago when it also got a new chef to boot. So if you fancy taking a look at the new place (and it's changed quite a bit) the set lunch is a good plan.
The offer: Three courses for £37
The choice: Two options per course.
Available: Monday to Saturday.
Find out more about The Square
Two Lights28-30 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8DA
Two Lights comes from the same group as The Clove Club, serving up contemporary American-influenced cuisine from chef Chase Lovecky. And you should think about ordering whatever their current sandwich is too.
The offer: Two courses for £17, three courses for £20 (plus potato rolls to start)
The choice: Two options per course.
Available: Wednesday - Sunday
Find out more about Two Lights
Wild Honey St James8 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5NG
Anthony Demetre's famed restaurant left its original Mayfair location to re-open in a much swankier space on Pall Mall. Here, he's combining French techniques with British ingredients and you'll see many of the old favourites on the menu,
The offer: Two courses for £23, three courses for £27
The choice: Three options per course.
Available: Daily
Find out more about Wild Honey
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